Free smoke alarms for seniors program wrapping up

KAMLOOPS – Kamloops Fire Rescue has seen an excellent response to the Seniors Smoke Alarm Program.

As a result of the successful but overwhelming response to the program, Kamloops Fire Rescue will no longer be accepting requests for smoke alarms.

Due to the tremendous response to the program, we have identified that there is a need for a service like this in Kamloops. Kamloops Fire Rescue will be working hard to explore partnerships and other opportunities to ensure programs like this can continue in the future.

For those people who currently have requested the service and have not been contacted yet, we ask for you to be patient, as we received over 300 requests for smoke alarms. It may take some time but we will be in contact with you.

Kamloops Fire Rescue received approximately 315 requests and to date have visited 70 residents throughout the city. From the 70 those homes, Kamloops Fire Rescue has replaced 91 smoke alarms and 66 batteries.

“It is important that we protect the people in our community who are at highest risk from fire. This program was not just about smoke alarms; it gave the fire fighters the opportunity to meet with the seniors and share other important fire safety tips,” said Dale Mclean, Fire Chief.

In January 2012, a report prepared by the Surrey Fire Services and the University of the Fraser Valley, "Smoke Alarms Work, But Not Forever", was released to the public. This report identified the importance of smoke alarms and the groups at highest risk of dying in a house fire and seniors were one of the target groups.

Kamloops Fire Rescue would also like to take this opportunity to thank our partners; Centre for Seniors Information, Seniors Outreach Society, the Province of British Columbia and the Fire Chiefs Association of BC.

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